Announcement Portlet

Blogs

Generational change for TAFE NSW

A modernised structure for TAFE in NSW - which will reduce overheads, direct more resources to frontline teaching services and guarantee TAFE is meeting the training and skills needs of the State economy - was unveiled today by Minister for Skills John Barilaro.

Under the once-in-a-generation reforms, the independent Institute structure of TAFE will be replaced with a single, multi-campus TAFE NSW.

"Under the new TAFE model, we will invest heavily in improving course delivery and content, so that regardless of whether a student walks into TAFE in Castle Hill, Coonabarabran, or Cooma, they can expect the same high-quality, industry-relevant content," Mr Barilaro said.

"This reform will make significant savings on back office administration and management which will be reinvested back into training and skilling the people of NSW for the jobs of the future.

"Excessive overheads, a large and underutilised asset base, and inflexible workforce arrangements are diverting valuable Government funding away from the most important job TAFE has – training our workforce of the future."

For every $1 million saved, TAFE NSW has the potential to train a further 250 students.

NSW continues to have the strongest economy of any state in the country and the highest jobs growth. To ensure that our economic advantage is supported and sustained, we need to continue to strengthen our skills base by providing vocational education and training options that connect students with jobs.

The 25-year-old TAFE model was designed to create competition between the Institutes to increase student choice; however, with the variety of options available today – including university; online study; overseas study; and non-government training providers, including community organisations – TAFE doesn't need to compete with itself.

Under these reforms, the NSW Government will also:

Open 12 brand-new Connected Learning Centres each month in 2017 – giving students accesses to TAFE training and teaching across the network; Create a new TAFE Digital Education headquarters in regional NSW; and Reinvest any money from land or asset sales back into TAFE NSW. See more about One TAFE. Your Future